Australian Idol judge becomes barrister

STAR TURN: Holden makes an appearance in this week's edition of Women's Day Former Australian

STAR TURN: Holden makes an appearance in this week's edition of Women's Day

Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden has traded in the cameras for the courtroom, shifting careers to become a barrister, Woman's Day reports.

Fifty-five year old Holden, a former singer and actor who coined the Idol catchphrase "Touchdown!", has completed his law degree - which he began some 38 years ago - and will now don the robs in Melbourne's courtrooms.

Holden dropped out of his law degree, which he commenced in 1971, when he was signed to record label EMI for his firm album.

However, after his controversial sacking from Idol two years ago, he completed his degree and has been reading with William Lye of the Victorian Bar who he describes as his "mentor". Now, having officially signed the Victorian Bar, he is eligible to work full-time as a barrister.

Holden's career has included acting (he was an original cast member of soap opera The Young Doctors), pop singing (with top ten hits including Lady Soul and Look What You Started), and he has played a key role in developing the musical careers of other artists including film star Milla Jovovich, former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff and Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi.

He also holds the honour of having being named "Wanker of the Year" by Ralph Magazine in 2003. After being given the title, Holden famously started a petition on his website to get Ralph magazine to present him with a trophy so he could show off his new title, and Ralph considered having the award officially named after him.

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